Shankhapushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis)

About

What it is and where it shows up.

Shankhapushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis) is a perennial Ayurvedic herb native to the Indian subcontinent, used traditionally as a brain tonic, nervine tonic, and nootropic to improve memory and intellect. It is used in food supplements, nutraceutical products, and Ayurvedic formulations for neurological and CNS conditions.

Safety summary

The regulatory and scientific consensus.

The herb has a long history of traditional use in India with a generally favourable safety profile at typical Ayurvedic doses; an acute toxicity study classified the hydroalcoholic leaf extract under OECD category 4 (low acute hazard). No formal ADI has been established by any major international regulatory body (EFSA, FDA, WHO/JECFA), and no IARC carcinogenicity classification exists. Adulteration is a significant practical safety concern, as multiple unrelated plant species are sold under the same name, leading to inconsistent efficacy and potential unknown toxicity.

Regulatory landscape

What food-safety regulators have decided.

Jurisdiction	Status	Note
FDA (Food and Drug Administration) (United States)	Restricted	Shankhapushpi is not listed as GRAS or as an approved food additive by the FDA. It may be marketed as a dietary supplement ingredient under DSHEA (Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act), but therapeutic claims are not permitted. FDA has not conducted a formal safety evaluation.source
FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) (India)	Approved	Shankhapushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis) is recognized as a permitted botanical ingredient under FSSAI's Health Supplements, Nutraceuticals, Food for Special Dietary Use, Food for Special Medical Purpose, Functional Food and Novel Food Regulations, 2016. It is also covered under the FSSAI Ayurveda Aahara Regulations, 2022. No specific maximum daily intake has been codified for food/supplement use; dosage is governed by traditional Ayurvedic practice and manufacturer labelling.source
EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) (European Union)	Under_review	Convolvulus pluricaulis does not appear on the EU authorised novel foods list and has no established E-number. If used as a food ingredient or supplement without a history of significant consumption in the EU before May 1997, it would require a novel food authorisation under EU Regulation 2015/2283. No EFSA opinion has been issued specifically on this herb.source

Who should approach with care

Whose guidance would steer them away.

Pregnancy — No clinical safety data exist for use during pregnancy; traditional Ayurvedic practice recommends medical supervision for use of Medhya Rasayana herbs during pregnancy.

Lactation — Insufficient clinical data on transfer of C. pluricaulis bioactives (alkaloids, coumarins) into breast milk; medical supervision advised.

Infants — No safety studies exist for infants; CNS-active alkaloids and coumarins present in the herb are a theoretical risk in this vulnerable age group.

Children — While traditionally used in Ayurvedic paediatric formulations, no modern clinical dose-safety data exist for children; use should be supervised by a qualified practitioner.

Epilepsy — C. pluricaulis has reported antiepileptic activity and acts as a GABA-A agonist; it may interact with conventional antiepileptic drugs, requiring medical oversight.

Research citations

The sources behind this verdict.

1PubMed. Evaluation of CNS Depressant and Anti-anxiety Activities of Leaves of Convolvulus pluricaulis, 2023. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
2PubMed. Role of Shankhpushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis) in neurological disorders: An umbrella review covering evidence from ethnopharmacology to clinical studies, 2022. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
3PubMed. Phytochemical Profile, Pharmacological Attributes and Medicinal Properties of Convolvulus prostratus - A Cognitive Enhancer Herb for the Management of Neurodegenerative Etiologies, 2020. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
4PubMed. Convolvulus pluricaulis (Shankhapushpi) ameliorates human microtubule-associated protein tau (hMAPτ) induced neurotoxicity in Alzheimer's disease Drosophila model, 2019. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
5FSSAI. Food Safety and Standards (Health Supplements, Nutraceuticals, Food for Special Dietary Use, Food for Special Medical Purpose, Functional Food and Novel Food) Regulations, 2016, 2016. fssai.gov.in

Independently researched6 citations